If there's one thing CK can give Miss Yvonna and Miss Dulia credit for, it's the accurate information they obtained about the entity caged in front of her. Malphas is one of the 72 archdaemons that originated from Almadel, the home of daemons.
Malphas could easily turn an entire human kingdom into a giant's ashtray just for fun. If not for the Chalk Prison, CK wouldn't treat him so casually while inside the Nonaphrontistery. She was confident she can neutralize him like before, but there'd be too many casualties.
"Aw, you sensitive thing. Don't worry, I'm just surprised. Is it just me, or have you gone paler since the last time I saw you?" CK gibed as she placed a hand on her hip. Malphas chuckled.
"Blah, blah, I get it. You hate me so much, you see me in your dreams. That's understandable because I'm amazing like that and you hate losing to me," CK smirked, "But I didn't come here to listen to your fever dreams. Tell me, is your 'offer' still up?"
Malphas smiled in immediate realization.
As a being whose imprisonment is connected to CK, the Chalk Prison's current warden, Malphas could read and understand CK's line of thought, so he knew why CK summoned him and asked about the 'offer'. Aside from this, sadly, Malphas could not do anything else to CK's mind. For now, at least.
"Oh, good," CK said.
"I'd like to think he'd tell me 'good job' for dealing with the consequences of his actions after leaving me to deal with it myself," CK muttered in irritation, causing Malphas' eyes to glow with amusement.
"But for now, let's let him rest. I've heard the saying that the devil is a good salesman," CK sat on the couch and crossed her legs with a smug smirk, "Let's see how well you'll sell yourself to actually win me over."
"Hehe. You're right. Your strength and the fact that you can follow along my intentions easily are enough," CK said, "Let me be the one to emphasize the terms, then: I officially take you as my familiar, and you will serve me and treat me as your only master devotedly. You will do what I instruct you to regardless of how good or bad it is, and your safety is guaranteed in exchange."
"Nah, I'm good. But if you want to add anything else, let's hear it," CK replied. Malphas' eyes twinkled,
CK's lips twisted in dismay. "That's a poor way of disguising any attempt to poison or kill me," she said disappointedly, "But you'll be doing these things anyway since you're soon to be my servant. Alright. I'll add that to the contract. Anything else?"
"You should have thought of that before offering to serve me," CK's deceitful smile was hardly obvious, "But regrettably, your desperation to escape my master's watch made you believe I was the better option."
Malphas watched as the ivory cage opened before CK, allowing her to step in and place a hand above his head. His lips curled emotionlessly as CK recited a verse.
"I take your soul into my hand. Turn my will into the star that guides your plan. The prison of dust shall let you be. In the name of the Magnum Opus, you're now linked to me," she chanted, the echo of her voice in the language of Syntaxis following in a whisper.
'Animam tuam in manu mea accipiam.
Converte voluntatem meam in stellam,
Quae consilium tuum dirigit, carcer terrenus eris,
In nomine Magni Opis, nunc mihi coniunctus es.'
'In manus tuas, tolle animam meam
Ad voluntatem tuam ac consilia tua omnia mea do.
Hic carcer terrenus nunc me sinit esse.
Sub juramento rationali, nunc sum in misericordia tua.'
"Consummatum est," CK declared. Malphas nodded his head,
The chains binding Malphas' hands turned into dust, releasing him from repression. The cage remains unchanged, but runes now appeared around Malphas' neck and wrists. He looked at them with a tilt of his head.
<'Little miss', it is. Or perhaps, 'little lady'? 'My lady'? 'Mistress' or 'madame'?> Malphas smirked. "It hasn't even been a minute and you're annoying me already," CK rolled her eyes, "Forget it. Just stop calling me 'little CK'."
"You should be aware of everything so far after being trapped in my consciousness. If Winslow managed to get into the higher floors with just the help of his angels, I should be able to do the same with you," she stated.
"Not just that. The master has mentioned that each tower is supposed to hide a sift that is similar to yours. I want to enter the sift inside the Maiden's Tower and take the item being safeguarded in it," CK stated and looked at Malphas, "You will help me get there."
Malphas said. "Most of the accusations can be turned over. What else should I be paying attention to?" CK asked.
CK's brows rose. Malphas smiled as he saw this,
"I see. What do you want me to do about your dungeon, then?" CK asked. Malphas replied, causing CK to giggle.
"Hehe. Is this meant to be your first gift to me as your master? Dungeons are symbols of authority among certain races like yours, and you're about to give yours to me," CK said, "And there's no telling what I'll do with it once it's mine. You sure you want that?"
"Hmm, that is true. How cool would it be to have you tailing after me everywhere I go?" CK mused with delight. Then, she grimaced, "But if you'll manifest as some disfigured mandrake, no thank you. You can stay in the cage."
"Hm… I really have no use for a dungeon, but I guess indulging you this time won't hurt. You're no use if you can't help me in my times of need, and I'll be needing you lots when we go back into the Maiden's Tower," CK said and yawned, "Fine. Let's go there tomorrow. For now, I need my much-needed rest."